Feb. 24, 2002
Box Score – Game 1
Tournament Stats
Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Kentucky Wildcats softball team finished the Sonic Challenge with a 5-1 record after beating host Tennessee-Chattanooga 4-1 and Samford 10-0 in five innings. UK’s overall record is now 10-7.
In the final game of the tournament for the Cats, they faced Samford, who, like Kentucky, had a 4-1 record in the tourney.
UK got on the board first when five runners touched home plate. The Wildcats loaded the bases on singles by sophomore Rachel Friberg and freshman Jessica Nance, followed by a walk by senior Beth Fogle. Junior Nikki Jones, who led the Cats with a .591 average in the Sonic Classic, hit a deep drive over the right fielder’s head. All three runners came in and Jones was able to come home when the cut-off fielder muffed the throw from Samford’s right fielder.
Kentucky added another run in the inning following a triple by junior Lyndsey Angus and a walk by senior Angie Dal Pozzo. Dal Pozzo faked a steal, and as the Samford players ran her down, Angus scored, putting the Cats up 5-0.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Wildcats struck again. Andy Eilertson sent a shot towards left-center field, resulting in her second home run of the tournament. Friberg reached first on an error and Nance singled, putting two runners on with one out. Freshman Megan Brooks launched her second home run of the Sonic Classic giving UK a 9-0 lead. Kentucky added another run in the inning giving them a ten-run advantage.
Kentucky was able to hold the Bulldogs in the top of the fifth, giving UK the victory.
Cooper gave up only five hits to Samford for her first shutout of her career. Jones and Angus each finished the game 3 for 3.
Earlier in the day, Kentucky took on host Chattanooga, who also had not lost in the Sonic Challenge. Kentucky struck first in the second inning. Sophomore Rachel Friberg knocked a single to centerfield and advanced to third on a bloop single by senior Jennifer Howland. Brook Bowman lay down a bunt and beat the throw to first, loading the basses. Senior Beth Fogle then slapped a shot down the left field line scoring Friberg and Howland.
The Cats added another run in the top of the third when senior Angie Dal Pozzo led off with a single and stole second. Friberg then knocked a double down the left field line, scoring Dal Pozzo.
Junior Morgan Marr, pitching in her third game of the tournament, struggled in the bottom of the sixth. After giving up a single to Dana Reed, Marr hit Melissa Ramirez with a pitch and walked Jill Crawford. With the bases loaded and one out, Marr walked Paige Cochrane to give the Lady Mocs their first run of the game. Marr then settled down and struck out the next batter and got the following batter to ground out, ending the inning for Chattanooga.
Kentucky added a run in the top of the seventh when a ground ball by junior Nikki Jones allowed junior Lyndsey Angus to score. Angus had doubled and advanced to third on a single by senior Andy Eilertson.
Kentucky retired the first three batters in the bottom of the seventh and the Cats walked away with the 4-1 victory.
Marr gave up one run on only four hits in seven innings of work. She improved her record to 3-5.
Friberg ended the game 3-for-3 with a double, two singles and a walk. It was her first three-hit game of her career.
After three straight weekend tournaments, the Wildcats take the week off before traveling to Morehead State, March 5.
Game One - Kentucky 4, Chattanooga 1Kentucky 021 000 1 4 11 0Chattanooga 000 001 0 1 4 1
Game Two – Kentucky 10, Samford 0Samford 000 000 0 0 5 3Kentucky 055 000 0 10 12 0
